Miracles

Hello family and friends!

Wow, I know I probably say this EVERY week but still it is true, this week FLEW by! I can't believe it is already Monday yet again. . where does time go?!? =)

This week was full of so many miracles, I am so grateful to have the chance to see the hands of Heavenly Father working in others lives and also my own! It is incredible to see all the blessings we receive each and every day!

This week we started off with exchanges with the sister training leaders, which personally is one of my favorite days! For some reason those days just seem to bring so many miracles.

I had the chance to go with Sister Anderson (this was my third exchange with her! She is so incredible, I just love her to pieces!). But I went and spent the day in Norfolk. It was so much fun! Even though we didn't have any of our plans work out we had the chance to talk to some really interesting people and get return appointments. My favorite part of the exchange is when Heavenly father taught me a lesson on prayer.

We went to contact a lady and see if we could on the off chance teach her right then. She was busy but we talked to her for a minute. Afterwards we asked if we could leave her with a prayer. She asked if I would say it. As I offered this prayer I just could feel the spirit so strong. It wasn't anything too extravagant. .  just simple words. I just asked for a few things in her life to work out, her daughter was starting school, etc. The prayer to me was just a simple prayer. But as I opened my eyes, I opened them to the lady crying. I was a little in shock. She just looked at me and said thank you so much, and gave me a huge hug. She said that she really needed that prayer in her life. I was taught a great lesson on how even the simplest of prayers can make a difference in the life of another.

Overall I had a BLAST with Sister Anderson, we caught up on life. She was my sister training leader in the News. So we had lots of things to catch up on! I was so excited to talk to her for a whole day! haha. We had fun! =)

We came back to Hermana Sahleen and Sister Barnes also experiencing many miracles! They had FOUR lessons that day. haha. Which is basically unspeakable. haha. They visited with two less actives and had two lessons with random people. It was incredible! We saw so many miracles from the exchange.

This week we had the chance to teach Luis Cortez. We met him about two weeks before but on the exchange I guess they were outside and he left his apartment and came running over to them. Then they taught him about the book of Mormon. He is super nice and has so much potential! We had a lesson with him Saturday and he had lots of good questions. Apparently on the exchange he asked Hermana Sahleen if we wanted to baptize him and she just nodded her head and smiled. And he laughed. But this next time he had lots of questions about baptism. Especially infant baptism (he is catholic). But overall it was super great! And we will be teaching him again this week.

We also had lots of fun this week. We had a 'noche de hogar' with the branch in support of missionary work. We planned activities and just had lots of fun!

We watched a Mormon message on obedience then played lots of different games as a branch. WE had a competition between two teams and just had fun! =)

We played many games. . chopsticks with tic tacs, doughnut passing, mummy building, and lots more! The branch has a lot of fun! We even had a few investigators there which made it all worth it! There was about 4 investigators overall. So it was neat. They enjoyed it too. Overall I think the best game that they enjoyed the most was a good ole girls camp favorite of 'Electricity'. haha. I suggested it to Jose a while back and he was like, that is actually a pretty genius game, (so basically I am a genius). The branch loved it though. And it was even more hilarious when the husbands and wives happened to match up at the end to grab the spoon. I didn't realize how competitive some of them get. It was great though.

We had a few pretty incredible miracles occur yesterday!

So we were at church, not expecting anyone because they all said they couldn't come. As we are sitting in relief society an old investigator of ours walks in with her two kids!!! She was super excited to be at church. It was weird to see her again, especially because she is now pregnant and looks HUGE! haha. But it was a complete miracle.

Then during relief society we had the neatest thing occur. We missed two phone calls from a number we didn't recognize, so we decided to step out and call it back and listen to the messages. So we call it back and it is a guy, asking us when church starts. He says he is Gustavo. . haha. We both don't recognize the name. . but we tell him. Then he shows up! haha. We still don't remember how we met him exactly, but we both recognized him. He was telling us that we were walking by and stopped to talk to him and gave him a card with our information on it. This happened about a MONTH ago! That is such a miracle! He kept our card and he came to church. He said we could visit him this week and talk more about our beliefs. =)

We haven't seen Juan and maria. . they had to cancel their appointments with us. We are going to stop in on them this week though!

We had the chance to have a lesson with Vanessa. She is a member referral from Nicole. A 14 year old in the branch. She has been working with her for a while now. She had Nicole over when we were supposed to eat dinner with them. It was hilarious, no she didn't "plan" it. haha. But it was good. Vanessa said that she liked us a lot! She thought we were really funny and had lots of fun with us. Nicole said she had met the elders before and thought they were really weird so she didn't want to meet us. But apparently we are still "cool". ;) She said they will really have to do a taco bell lunch with us one day. =)

Overall we saw so many incredible miracles this week! The life of a missionary! Sometimes it is just a day in the clouds! =)

I can't believe how quickly time is flying, transfers are winding down to an end and we will be receiving transfer calls this week. So we will see where the next six weeks will take me, here, somewhere new. Who knows!?! =)

Time is flying though, I can't believe we are basically reaching fall soon. Once we are done with September time will just go even quicker!

Conference, my birthday, Halloween, thanksgiving, Christmas, then new years! All happens so quick! =)

I love you all! Thanks so much for the packages and for the letters! They mean the world! I love you, have a wonderful week!

Congratulations to my wonderful parents for reaching 33 years together! =) and Happy (late) Birthday to my nephew Thomas! =) Can't believe you are 2!

I love you all, hope your week is incredible and that you see many blessings. Know I miss you, I'll see you sooner than we think!

Lots of Love from Virginia,

Hermana Gray

elders doing a pre practice with the donuts

fhe

Our district: hansen, McDonald, me, Sahleen, Valdez, Novak, Smith

thanks for the package!

the week of craziness...guns, bands, cars, the life I suppose.

Hello FAMILY! and friends!

Oh how I just miss you all so much, I loved reading your emails this week. As always I got some great laughs, especially thanks to Tiff for the recap on the family reunions, definitely was laughing pretty hard at some comments. =) I have some to realize on my mission how much a family really means. And to be honest I of course have the BEST family in the world. Nothing can top it. =) So sorry to all of you who think you have the best family, cause you are WRONG! ;)

Well, this week just FLEW right on by. I have no idea how it is already Monday yet again but it comes. =)

This week we had so much to do and then it all fell through really. But we saw some pretty neat miracles.

Our car had to get oil changed and tires rotated so we spent a little of our day at Pep Boys. Just having the car worked on. Which meant we had less time out and about in the field.

We had lunch at Hna Suarez's and she told us that Robin Williams died. Oh yes, Hermana Sahleen and I were super sad. We then would quote random things all day from his movies. ;) We are crazy! But it was fun.

We also went to a members for dinner that night and she told us all about her life. how she is divorcing her husband and things. It was really interesting. It is amazing to me how easily people trust you and are just open with you. It was super sad to hear her tell us everything. and we can't really help at all, so we just listened. Which in a way I think is the most important. Most people just want to tell you and have you listen. I think if we could all perfect listening relationships would be so much stronger. =)

We also had some success with a less active this week! There are two less active older woman that live in the same home. Zaira and Alicia. Alicia is way more open to having the missionaries visit her, Zaira not so much. But we went and Alicia wasn't home but Zaira let us and let us share a message with her. I think she is slowly warming up to us. =) Hopefully we can see some progress with her and her sweet family soon.

This week we stopped by Patty's home, it was her birthday! We shared a quick message with her about God being our loving Heavenly Father, because she had friends coming over in twenty minutes. But one of my favorite parts of the lesson was when she told our member who is married to an American, "all Peruvian girls marry American men!" She was really concerned at how that happens. It just made me laugh. People will make the funniest comments.

We had a really fun dinner this week with the Dison family. They are a couple with three kids. They both served Spanish speaking missions and go to the branch as a support. It was super fun though! They are just so neat. It was nice to teach an actual FAMILY too! We loved it! I made this memory game to play with the kids. I was like 'we rarely get to teach little kids! We have to do something fun!' they seemed to really enjoy it! The parents thought it was genius idea. I had a fun time over at their home, and sister dison made this really good chicken apple craisin thing. DELICIOUS! And it might have even been more since it was my first American dish in a while. haha. =)

I also got an exciting letter from Hermana Newman this week!! =)

She told me that Edilberta is set for baptism on the 26th of August! She has her interview tomorrow so send some prayers that way! And hopefully I can get approval to go to it too! =)

And she also said that Presidente Chamberlain received new counselors and that Hermano Ramirez (jesus) is the 2nd counselor!! =) I am so happy for that! He is such a great person. I can't believe what a change he has had in his life this year! Going from less active to being a counselor in the branch presidency, and seeing your wife and daughter be baptized! It comes to show that with the Lord's help all things really are possible. And in a short time you CAN change your life around, if you are willing to accept the Lord's help through the repentance process! =)

We were doing a little bit of tracting and a funny thing happened. Patty watches a couple of kids during the day. Anyways, we were tracting in a completely different trailer park and the door opens and it is a little girl that Patty watches. SHe was like "how'd you know I lived here?!?" she was very concerned about this. =) yes, we are crazy stalkers. ;) Nah, we just have the instincts to knock on the door. Personally I don't think it was coincidence at all! I think that little girl needs to have us in her home. =)

We also had a 'ward' party. Okay not really but it was a birthday party for Hermana Rodriguez, so basically it was a ward party. It was super fun!

the ward was all there and we had some delicious 'bbq' food. . Hispanic bbq though, so chicken from a bone, rice, and beans, potatoes. The norm.

But there was a full on miriatchi (can't spell!) band and then a couple of the members in the ward dressed up and did reenactments of people. Like Michael Jackson and things. Then they had a full on dance party! It was very entertaining! =)

We met a really great potential named Mari! we knocked on her door and she let us in and let us share the message of the Restoration with her. SHe is super nice and I think she will be a great investigator here in the near future! She said before the lesson that she lets 'missionaries/preachers' in her home whenever they knock but none of them have ever helped her to know why there are so many churches on the earth today. I was like, I think we can help you with that answer. And when we were talking about the Gran apostasia, she was like, WOW that makes sense! It was really neat to see the gospel answer someones question so perfectly. I truly was amazed how much Heavenly Father does that. =)

President and sister Baker came around and did apartment checks this week. They walked in and immediately "this must have been an Elders apartment". haha. Made me laugh. Then Sister baker was all worried because she thought they had resigned the contract for another year, but we told her that they didn't. So she was like "oh good, I was really worried for you!". I think we will be moving apartments sometime in October? Who knows. =) But that was joyous news. President and Sister Baker are so cute, they even shared a little message with us before they left and brought us popcorn. =)

We had a pretty good lesson with Maria, Juan was working! She REALLY enjoyed church and is excited to come again. She even wants to attend the relief society activity on Saturday! =) Hopefully we will see some great progress with them soon. They are both a good way into the start of the Book of Mormon. About 15 chapters in. Personally I think when people start reading is when you see the most progress! =)

We saw something SUPER crazy! We were driving down this main road. We see this guy running from this lady, trip into the street, almost get hit by a car. Then the lady is holding a gun on him! It was NUTS!!! But really kind of exciting at the same time. I am pretty sure she was an undercover cop. A cop was coming pretty quickly too in a car. It was just a little crazy. I don't think I've ever seen anything like that in person. Just shows you that the world is still the same I guess. . just as crazy as always. =)

Well, family not too much else has changed in the life of this missionary. Just out knocking and spreading the gospel. One door at a time! =)

I hope you all have an excellent week, Remember I love you and that Heavenly Father is always there! I'm just an email away if you need anything! =)

Love you,

Hermana Gray

"Pure Christlike love flowing from true righteousness CAN change the world."-Holland

HAPPY HUMP DAY!!!!! =)

Family and Friends,

It is official! I have become old on the mission! I am now closer to home than away from it! Man how time just FLIES!!! =) I am surely trying to take advantage of every moment as a missionary, even on those days where it isn't all that fun! But it seems to be going well as of now! =)

This week was pretty incredible though. 

We did struggle a little to get lessons but those lessons we did have they were INCREDIBLE!!! We had a fantastic lesson with Juan and Maria this week. A member came with us. We started teaching the Plan of Salvation and it was going really well. On the earth life we started talking of the importance of baptism and making covenants. They enjoyed it. We talked about when christ was baptized and the importance of the authority. They didn't accept the baptismal invitation but we are still working hard with them to make them feel like they understand the gospel. 

One of my favorite parts of the lesson is when we were talking about Adam and Eve and Juan was like well they had to eat the fruit. And I think he was a little taken aback that we were agreeing with him. It was funny! He was loving it during that part! Eating it all up. Making me laugh when he was bobbing his head in agreement. Just funny! 

Although the best part was when we asked them if they had read in the Book of Mormon and they both said yes. And Maria handed us the book and they had read 9 chapters in one week!!! Oh yes, I think that made it worth it RIGHT there! Sometimes you wonder why you visit the same people or if you are really making a difference than you see that the Book of Mormon is helping them in their lives. And it makes it ALL worth it. The struggles the hardships, the joys of missionary work. All of it is worth it when you see investigators start to progress in the gospel. 

We also found two really great investigators this week. 

We found Virma while we were trying to find a former investigator. She was outside mowing her lawn and we approached her and talked to her. She was really intrigued by the idea of missionary work in general. She was even more surprised when our member told her it was voluntary and that we chose to be here. It was a great lesson on the Restoration. Although she does love to talk so we didnt quite make it through! haha. =) She has lots of potential though. 

We also found Jose Luis this past week. We were driviing and we past this small trailer park with probably eight trailers tops. So we were like do you think there is hispanics?? So we pull over. A guy was outside so we talk to him and ask if anyone speaks spanish in this little park. And he pointed to One trailer and says, only him. . he's fluent! ;) haha. Made me laugh. But we knocked it later and he was interested in learning more. I feel kind of bad for him since he is the only one who speaks spanish in his whole area and he has only been here for 4 months. Doesn't really have any friends here. So I am hoping that he can gain some friendships through the members. =) 

I also hit Hump Day this week! Wednesday was a great day. . 

Hermana Sahleen is so wonderful and left me with cute sticky notes on the wall in celebration. She kept making funny comments all day about it too. =) We went to Chili's for lunch in celebration, and to be honest it was a great feeling! 

I LOVE the mission, but it is nice to know that I am half way done. I remember thinking that Katie and Colton were entering the field that day and just feeling comforted that I was at where I am at in the mission. The first part of the mission is rough. So I am grateful to be half way! =) The mission is the best decision you can make, also one of the hardest! But it is WORTH IT! =) I am grateful for the knowledge I have gained of my Savior and Redeemer during my mission. And also the help I have been able to give to others. I know the gospel is true, that is why I share it. =) 

This last Tuesday, Presidente Ramirez called and asked if I would speak in church. haha. Oh goodness, don't you just dread those calls??? =) I normally don't mind speaking in church, not my favorite thing to do but there could be worse. But when you are asked to talk in a different language for 15 minutes. . . I'd rather not. I sucked it up and spoke! haha. It was good, I spoke on missionary work, the blessings of missionary work. I think it was okay. =) 

to be honest I am just glad it is over. ;) But it was great. We also had Five investigators at church which was definitely our highest in a LONG Time. It was great to be able to share with them my testimony of the gospel. 

We have been trying to work with Jay and Nico. But it seems that we just struggle to get our appointments set up with them since their guardian is a little flaky. But all is well. We had the chance to give them service on Saturday so we are hoping this next week we can get a lesson in. =) 

Last Monday we had the chance to go to the Aviation Museum here in Virginia Beach! It was actually really neat. Luckily they have volunteers tehre and one of them offered us a tour. So we were lucky and had a tour of the airplanes and he told us stories about each of them. I personally wouldn't have known much about them if he hadn't given us the tour so it definitely made it worth it! =) I liked it a lot though. They had a plane made all out of wood and just a bunch of original air craft from WW1 and WW2. It was a neat museum. I would reccomend it to people to visit! =) Especially if you like airplanes. =) 

I am trying to think. . . . Not too much else happened this week. Just the normal life of the missionary. I can't believe I am Half way done. It is so mind-boggling! I will see you all in person in just a short nine months (when I say it like that it seems like a while. . . but it really will just fly! =) ). I hope you all are being good. Doing great things. 

I know that we have a Savior and Redeemer that loves us and died for us. We have the ability to repent thanks to the atoning Sacrifice of Christ. We can become clean again. I know that as we do all we can and strive to live life according to the way that God wants us to we can be made clean again. 

I know this gospel is true! In these next nine months I am going to help as many people as I can gain the knowledge of this gospel as well! 

I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week! 

Stay strong! Be Safe, remember who you are and where you came from, and if you forgot ask mom! She'll be sure to remind you!. =) 

Love you,

Hermana Gray

P.S. Congratulations to one of my favorite little 'sisters', Love you Cami! Congrats! Can't wait to meet him. =)

Oh I'm 1/2 way there....OH Living on a prayer! =)

Well folks. . .

Can you believe it! HALF WAY THERE! Crazy sauce. . I know I don't get there until Wednesday but still!! 9months ago I was in your presence and now I am just here, helping some people, spreading the gospel. In 9 short more months I will grace you with my presence again. That is just CRAZY to me!!!

Where oh where to begin this week!?!?!

We had a little rough week but at the same time we had many miracles. We were blessed with member present lessons and I can truly testify that a member's testimony makes all the difference in a lesson!

We had a really wonderful lesson with Juan and Maria. We brought a member with us (Juan has a REALLY thick accent and is hard to understand. haha). We get there for our lesson. Sit down and right off the bat they say, we read the Book of Mormon and watched the Restoration video like you said to do. So we asked them if they had any questions and they just start going off with question after question. It was honestly one of the best questioning sessions I have been in on my mission. Juan was very doubtful of some things. We asked him if it were possible that God and Christ appeared to Joseph Smith and he was like yes I think he easily could. . but how do I know?!? Of course we explain the only way to know is through prayer, and finding out for yourself. He looked really skeptical. haha. Sometimes I wish I could just freeze moments to show you on the mission. . But what really changed his heart was when we asked Hermana Jellerson how she gained a testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith. It was really a beautiful testimony of Joseph Smith and the authority of God being restored. Maria had questions about baptisms and as we were talking about it we were about to extend the baptismal question then the subject changed due to someones comment!! Oh satan. . . thinks he is so funny! Next time though it is coming out! :) It was a great lesson though. We invited them to church and they said they couldnt' because they can't drive. So we said 'if we can get you a ride for church tomorrow will you come?' 'yes' so we find them a ride and call them and they said they couldn't come. But that the next week they could. We will definitely hold them to that!!! =)

We also had a pretty great lesson with Patty. We met her knocking last week. She was super nice. We went for our original lesson and she was pulling out because she had forgotten and was like oh goodness come back tomorrow and I will be here. We had a really short lesson with her though since she had a meeting for school stuff. We just talked a little more about the Book of Mormon with her, we won't be able to visit her this week because she will be visiting her mom in Maryland.

While we were with our member on Saturday we asked her if we could knock 2 doors after the lesson that we needed to contact. It was raining and she was like why not! We knock a referral. We find Saul who has lots of potential! He has a family. . a wife and twin daughters! He just seems very nice! Full of potential! =)

We had a very interesting experience this week. . haha. Imagine Deano from a few weeks ago but now the attention was centered on me. haha. AHHHH!!!

We go to our appointment we have with Bruno and Benjamin set up. Benjamin opens the door sees us and is like 'oh no I forgot! I have some buddies over and we are just drinking and smoking to relieve some stress after work'. Then he invites us in. So we ask if there is a woman and he says no. Well we can't come in. Why not. A rule we have. Oh goodness. . he wouldn't get over it.

I swear Satan just works on people like nothing. He asked us about 20 times to come in then he would say 'nobody would know' (oh buddy. . you don't know.... heavenly father is ALWAYS watching. haha.). We do not enter (cause first off he is a little drunk anyways). So he is like fine you won't come in teach me outside. So he is talking to us a little bit but doesn't really let us talk then just keeps asking us questions. Then he is like. . it is sad, you are what 26?? (yes, how rude he thought I was 26!! 19 buddy. . thanks). So we are like no we are 19 and 23. And he was like what?!? No way. Then he was like well it is so sad that you can't love someone. haha. Oh goodness. . this is going no where good.

We explain a little of what a missionary is. Then basically we are like we need to leave, he isn't interested in the message. So we go to leave, make up some excuse. Hermana Sahleen shakes his hand, then I shake it he holds my hand and kisses my cheek. What the?!? Then he realizes he didn't do it to Hermana Sahleen and that is weird so he does it to her too. haha.

then of course since I have been giving crap to Hermana Sahleen about Deano (jokingly of course, laughing about it). We are walking to the car and she's like 'well someone likes you!". I about died laughing. What is with these single Spanish men in Virginia?? haha. Oh and don't worry he offered us some beer and cigarettes too. Oh goodness. .. the life of a missionary.

Overall the week was pretty good. We had fun! We are just trying to find the prepared and working hard as missionaries to spread the gospel! =)

We had a neat little miracle. We had a lesson with Angie scheduled on Monday but she had to cancel so she was like come tomorrow. So we called her and our phone was almost dead. She wasn't at her home but at a friends and said to come by. We get the directions and right after we hang up the phone dies! Complete miracle right there. =)

I hope all is well with you and that you enjoy my letters! I sure enjoy all of your letters and emails!

Thanks for the love and support!

Love you all!

Hermana Gray

Good luck to Colton and Katie Hoggan both entering the MTC this Wednesday!! =) You will both be fantastic missionaries!